By Matt Youngfrau
MONTICELLO — November 14, 2003 – The first set of hearings to confirm the election results began Wednesday. And the first towns reviewed were Highland, Liberty and Bethel.
In Highland, it was confirmed that Republican Andrew Valenti and Democrat Paul Zimmermann won the two town council seats.
Liberty had two very close races to decide. For supervisor, one vote separated Democrat Frank DeMayo and Republican Shirley Lindsley. For town council, Thomas Hasbrouck won one seat. Five votes separated the other three candidates: Republican Joanne McPhillips and Democrats Kevin Mullen and Lynn Killian.
It took more than three hours to count the absentee and affidavit ballots in the nine election districts in Liberty. The race came down to the wire.
In the end, DeMayo won by five votes. His total of 1,109 votes beat Lindsley’s 1,104 votes. For council, Hasbrouck earned 1,135 votes. Killian won the second seat with 1,072 votes. Mullen had 1,063 votes, and McPhillips had 1,053 votes.
Bethel had 24 votes separating the two candidates vying for Supervisor: Republican Bob Bonnaci Sr. and Democrat Ira “Moose” Liff.
Over 140 ballots were counted. In the end, Liff had 660 votes, Bonnaci had 606 votes, and Fair Government candidate Richard Morey Jr. garnered 298 votes.
Over last weekend, it was announced that Liff was arrested and charged with insurance fraud and grand larceny. Neither Liff nor his attorney, Perry Meltzer, would comment on the situation, although Meltzer did say Liff will serve as Town Supervisor.
But according to state law, if Liff is convicted of a felony, he must forfeit his public position.